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Alien Autopsy (2006)

Director: Jonny Campbell

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From Time Out London

Back in 1995, Ray Santilli and Gary Shoefield unveiled footage that purported to show the dissection of an extra-terrestrial. Of course the film – which, these two friends from Hackney claimed, was shot by the US military in 1947 – was as fake as a three-quid note, but for a time it was jumped on by media outlets everywhere as ‘proof’ of alien existence. ‘Alien Autopsy’ plays this real-life hoax for laughs, depicting Ray and Gary as a couple of chancers straight out of ‘Only Fools and Horses’. ITV1’s Ant and Dec make a credible big-screen debut as the pair, essentially shoehorning their affable light-entertainment selves into the lead roles. They, and we, have most fun during the fake autopsy shoot, a beautifully deadpan sequence in a cramped suburban living room involving a modified shop dummy with a haggis for a brain and biscuit breaks for the crew provided by Gary’s nan. If the sitcom-style approach feels contrived – were the media really all that gullible? – this is still a likeable, wry little movie. Besides, the real-life Ray and Gary are hardly ones to complain about factual accuracy.

For Ant and Dec Q&A, click here.

Author: Edward Lawrenson 2006-04-04 11:03:40

Time Out London Issue 1859: April 5-12 2006